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The new head of the NHS began his task with a visit to our region this week.

Our political programme Around The House looked at one of the most sensitive subjects facing the health service: how to decide on the prescribing of treatments, while ensuring the best use of resources.

Helen Ford and a panel of MPs discussed the proposed guidelines, which have just gone out to consultation:

On this week's Around The House, we debate the Chancellor's promise to work towards full employment. Helen Ford is joined by the Stockton South Conservative MP James Wharton, the Berwick Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith and the Labour MP for the City of Durham, Roberta Blackman-Woods.

We also explore the implications of radical changes to pensions. Are the consequences of the Coalition's reform plans any clearer?

Experts are still poring over the radical reforms to private pensions, announced in the Budget.

Ending the legal requirement to buy an annuity - which provides a guaranteed income for life - is a landmark change, allowing individuals to use their pension pot as they wish.

On tonight's Around The House, Helen Ford talks to Teesside Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop and North Yorkshire Conservative Anne McIntosh, and asks how people will be encouraged to manage their retirement income:

You can see the full interview on Around The House tonight, Thursday 3 April, at 11.40pm on ITV.

The Chancellor's ambition for full employment - and what it means for our region - is discussed by tonight's panel of MPs from Westminster.

Helen Ford is joined by Roberta Blackman-Woods, Sir Alan Beith and James Wharton. They also consider the proposed new guidelines for prescribing treatments on the NHS, in the light of criticism of age discrimination in cancer care.

Also in the programme, the upside - and the downside - of the radical reforms to private pensions. North Yorkshire Conservative MP Anne McIntosh and Teesside Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop consider the consequences of the landmark changes announced in the Budget.

People in their 20s, 30s and 40s can expect to work for longer before they can claim a state pension.

In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor indicated that the pension age would rise to 68 by the mid 2030s, and 69 in the mid 2040s.

How could these changes affect us, as individuals and a society?

It was a topic for debate on this month's Around The House, with the Sunderland Central Labour MP Julie Elliott, Redcar Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales and Rory Stewart, who represents Penrith and the Border for the Conservatives.